News in Brief

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NYSUT United

NYSUT salutes Schuler Mauk

Nearly four decades as a union activist merit a good retirement send off. And that's just what Ellen Schuler Mauk, a NYSUT Board and Executive Board member and chair of NYSUT's Higher Education Policy Council, received after retiring as a union leader and faculty member at Suffolk County Community College.

Schuler Mauk was president of the Faculty Association of Suffolk Community College for 34 years and a faculty member for 43 years. She also served on the American Federation of Teachers Higher Education Division Program and Policy Council.

"The reward as a teacher and as a union president was knowing that in both small and not-so-small ways, I could make a positive difference in other people's lives as well as my own," said Schuler Mauk. "Isn't that what all union activists do everyday? The only difference is, I've been doing it longer!"

Schuler Mauk's FASCC brothers and sisters established the Ellen Schuler Mauk Endowed Scholarship, a gift totaling $55,000; that number swelled by a $1,000 donation by NYSUT. In November, NYSUT officers Maria Neira, Kathleen Donahue and Lee Cutler presented Schuler Mauk with the contribution at NYSUT's Community College Conference, which Schuler Mauk chairs.

"We wish Ellen lots of luck in her new journey, but we're not letting her off the hook — we know this is not goodbye," said Neira. "Thank you on behalf of the Board and the officers for your many years of hard work."

Young Abrams re-elected CLUW vice president

Shelvy Young Abrams, a NYSUT Board member, paraprofessionals chapter leader of the United Federation of Teachers and a vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, was re-elected as a national vice president of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) at the recent 17th Biennial Convention.

Under the theme "CLUW: Moving the Working Women's Agenda Forward," delegates engaged in workshops on topics ranging from fighting voter suppression to social media. Discussions also focused on expanding the organization's membership, creating a campaign-oriented vision and creating more opportunities for women younger than 35 to serve as leaders in CLUW chapters. For more information about CLUW, visit www.cluw.org.

St. Francis adjuncts welcomed

Judy Sandler, a NYSUT labor relations specialist, presents Howard Skrill, interim treasurer of St. Francis College Adjunct Faculty Union, with the new unit's charter. The NYSUT local represents 200 members at the independent college.

Hempstead SRPs celebrated

In Nassau County, the Hempstead Teaching Assistants created a memorable celebration on New York State School-Related Professionals Recognition Day, Nov. 19. The Hempstead High School cafeteria was transformed into an elegant venue where about 70 TA members were feted by union leaders, administrators and board of education members.

Hempstead TA President Sirlentor Berry, center, poses with teaching assistants, from left, Toi Trice, Stephanie Finney and Bridget Bouknight at the event. Berry, along with NYSUT SRP Coordinator Margaret MacCartney and Board of Education President Betty Cross praised SRPs for their important contributions to education.

How did your district celebrate 2013 SRP Recognition Day? Email MacCartney at mmaccart@nysutmail.org with details of your event and include pictures, if available.